[iusem]

We seem to always schedule are return trips to WDW at various times and never the same time as in past visits. This year we are planning on arriving at Port Orleans/Riverside 12/25 and leaving 1/1/2003. Can anyone provide me suggestions as to special dinners for Christmas Evening Dinner and which park is best on New Year's Eve. Also, does anyone know if the park hours and E-nights for that week have been released? What about the narrators for the Candle Processional at Epcot?

:dazed

[mickey]

iusem, welcome to DisneyCentral! While I have never dared the crowds, I can help you with some of your questions. As far as dinner goes, I guess it would depend upon the amount you wanted to spend, and what you wanted for dinner. I would suggest Spoodles, on the Boardwalk, or Flying Fish. Spoodles has a great family atmosphere, is loud, so you don't have to worry about whispering, and has great food. If you wanted to do a finer restaurant, I would suggest Artist's Point in Wilderness Lodge. Great food and great holiday decorations.

On New Years Eve, I would avoid the parks, but if you really want to go, and that is why you are there anyways, I would avoid MK. We went to Disneyland one New Years Eve, and everything was a two to three hour wait, even at 2 in the morning. Of course, we got stuck on Pirates for over an hour, so we missed most of the evening. Any other park is going to be crowded, but no as much as MK.

Park hours will not be released until somtime in early November. I would expect e-ride nights, if they are still around, to be released about the same time. I will post both on the front page when they become available. The narrators should be announced soon. Everything else has been announced for that time, and can be seen here:

WDW Christmas Schedule, 2002

[YensidFan]

We spent New Year's Eve at Disney World in 1998-1999. There are special things going on everywhere (and they are a bit different each year). That particular New Year's Eve we first stopped at MGM to see Teen Idols in concert and then headed over to the Magic Kingdom to ring in the new year. MK was packed and the closest we could get to Cinderella's castle was just at the end of Main Street. (I proposed to my wife this same night.)
For us (that night) we went to the parks more as a way to spend New Year's Eve and not to go on attractions and do things we normally would do. (And for me it was to surprise my wife with a ring.)
Let me tell you ... getting out of the park was unreal. I had never been in the middle of that many people in my life! The monorail to the resorts was empty - but the other one was packed beyond belief. It must have taken people hours to get out of the park ... and this was just MK.
That time of the year is so great at WDW. Everyhting is decorated and for us - we didn't mind the crowds. It's Xmas time and everybody is in a great mood.

[Cinderellafifi]

Welcome to DC! You'll love it here!

Please, please, please, make all your plans well in advance and reserve, reserve, reserve, if you are able! You will be so shocked at how fast things fill up for the holidays - although there is plenty to do.

My husband and I have an annual ritual of spending NY Eve at Pleasure Island. Last year we were told that, due to Sept. 11th fall out, that we didn't need to purchase our tickets ahead of time. Wrong! They sold out 2 days early - usually there are some left on NY Eve.

Earlier in the day we dared MK. I will never, ever again try it. It was a madhouse of people and pushing. People are there at 8:00 a.m. who plan to spend the whole day and night and are only interested in staking out their viewing spot. The park closed by 11:00 a.m. that morning.

Good luck and have a great holiday!

[dvcguy]

Book early was excellent advise. Make all your reservation early or you will be eating at 3 PM or 10PM. It is a GREAT time of the year to be at Disney, take it easy and enjoy all the x-mas stuff. Many of the hotels will have great displays, a few years ago Boardwalk hotel had gingerbread houses, my kids loved them.
So much to see, so little time, take it slow and enjoy. We will be at OKW from 12/21 thru 12/26 can't wait.

[iusem]

I have heard that the MK fills up quickly. On TV they show MGM on New Year's Eve counting down.....would that be any better?? As for PSs...my friends call me a PS freak! LOL! Thanks for the help!!:p

[tiff7]

I've never been to WDW @ Christmas/New Year's, but as I saw on the WDW
Christmas Parade that it's beautiful! I luv Epcot-especially Tapestry of Dreams &
IllumiNations! Who doesn't luv IllumiNations & Tapestry of Dreams? The MK is
packed during the summer @ the Christmas-time, but I hope 2 go be4 Tapestry of
Dreams goes back 2 being Tapestry of Nations (unless it changes 2 something
else). @ least I have the IllumiNations/Tapestry of Dreams CD that I got when I
went 2 WDW in May for my Graduation gift-it was great!!!! I luv WDW!!!! It's my
2nd home! My "home" is in front of the Epcot ball!

:)

:angel

[mickey]

Tiff, please refer to the forum rules before posting. Thanks!

"Grammar - Please use correct grammar and spelling while avoiding any abbreviation of common words or phrases. No sentences such as "can u tell me cuz i want to no". Persistent disregard for the English language will be grounds for banning. Honest spelling and grammar mistakes are acceptable, but please take your time when posting. "

[yesdisneyfool]

Originally posted by dvcguy
We will be at OKW from 12/21 thru 12/26 can't wait.

Hey dvcguy, our home is OKW and we love it, but we like the Wilderness Lodge holiday decorations area when we stayed at VWL last Thanksgiving so we are trying the WL for 12/20 - 12/26. When do you think the big crowds will begin to arrive? We want to be in Disney on Christmas morning. :)

[dvcguy]

yesdisneyfool, I will have to check out Wilderness lodge, never been. Does Wilderness lodge have an special holiday decorations?



This year looks like it will be busy from 12/20 on, A lot of kids will be on vacation and I have a feeling that everything will be packed.

Good news for DVC members is we will be back next year,so we will enjoy the parks ,the atmosphere,and take it slow.

[yesdisneyfool]

Originally posted by dvcguy
Does Wilderness lodge have an special holiday decorations?

Last Thanksgiving the decorations in the WL & VWL were great. The atmosphere of the Lodge is warm and inviting...you can just sit in the rocking chairs and take it all in. The crowds were heavest from Thanksgiving Day on.

My daughters last exam is the morning of 12/20 so we'll be on the road for about 9:30am. (This will be our 4th trip for 2002....2/2002 OKW - 5/2002 OKW - 10/2002 BCV & 12/2002 WL) Can't get enough of this place.

If I could work in the MK I'd give it some thought.:) Hope you vave a magical holiday stay in the most magical place on earth. :)

[mickey]

yesdisneyfool, welcome to DisneyCentral. You will love WLV at Christmas, it is beautiful. The lodge really fits in with the Christmas theming. Have a great trip!

[iusem]

How long do they leave up all the Christmas decorations in the park and resorts?

[mickey]

They usually show up right at Thanksgiving. They are all gone by January 1.

[Mstiz]

Hi all!! Someone mentioned earlier in this thread about getting tickets for the Pleasure Island New Years Eve celebration(s). How do you go about that? And is it more fun doing the New Years Eve at the parks or the Pleasure Island route?? I'm not about to wait for the last minute for this New Years Eve!!

:)